13:35 Cheltenham

Thursday 17 April 2025

All13:3514:1014:4515:2015:5516:3017:05

KTDA Fillies' Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:35 | Winning time: 4m 5.56s

Sainte Lucie^h³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 12-0| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 131

11/10

French recruit who made impressive winning stable debut at Punchestown in December. Hasn't built on that effort in Grade 1 company since, though not discredited when eighth of 17 in Triumph Hurdle at this C&D (good to soft) last time. Major player sent handicapping.

Form: 3-188

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Miss Altea Blue^t³³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-8| J: Jay Tidball⁽⁵⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 125| BF

22/1

Fairly useful in France and left behind her British debut when winning mares' novice at Wincanton in March. Looked set for second behind a useful prospect when falling at the last at Kempton (16f, good to soft) a month ago, but more needed on handicap bow.

Form: 42251F

Matwana³³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Paul O'Brien| T: Harry Derham| OR: 117| D

11/4

Has taken well to hurdling, opening her account at Doncaster in December and defying a penalty in a Newcastle novice (16.9f, good to soft) last month, form boosted by the second and third both winning next time. Merits consideration on handicap debut.

Form: 24121

Clotilda^t²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-11| J: Harry Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 114

20/1

Fair juvenile hurdler/chaser in France who made winning start for Paul Nicholls over hurdles at Huntingdon (15.8f) in December. Hasn't kicked on since, promising more than delivered in handicap at Newbury (20.5f, good), though she's not ruled out back down in trip.

Form: 231438

Lagoon Nebula²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-5| J: Sean O'Keeffe| T: A Kinirons| OR: 108

28/1

Fair form at best on the Flat. Hasn't matched that level in 3 juvenile maiden hurdles, though got back on track when sixth of 19 at Cork (16.7f, good to soft) 4 weeks ago. Has something to find but she remains capable of better now handicapping.

Form: 596

Maxios Prime⁵⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-2| J: J J Burke| T: P J Rothwell| OR: 105

6/1

Little impact in maiden hurdles but was in the process of showing more when departing late on handicap debut, before winning 7-runner juvenile handicap at Fairyhouse (16f, soft) in February. Respected with more still to offer now that she's up and running.

Form: 000F1

Analiese³⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-2| J: Toby Wynne| T: Mrs M Rowley| OR: 104

14/1

Left debut form well behind when winning at Hexham (16.2f) in February, despite still looking in need of experience. Failed to repeat that effort when fourth of 8 in juvenile at Stratford (18.7f, good to soft) 38 days ago, but she could fare better sent handicapping.

Form: 414

Sophie Power^h,t⁶¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-2| J: James Best| T: H Dickin| OR: 99

80/1

Successful on sole outing on Flat in France and went the right way first 3 starts over hurdles, fourth of 13 in mares' novice at Chepstow in January, before stiff task when pulled up in the Victor Ludorum at Haydock last time. Up against it from out of the weights.

Form: P44P

Our Lil^p³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-2| J: Miss Heidi Palin⁽⁷⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 96| D

12/1

Fair maiden on the Flat and, having had a wind op, off the mark on third attempt over hurdles in mares' maiden at Doncaster (16.6f, good) last month, though was fortunate after the clear leader fell at the last. 9 lb out of the weights as she makes handicap bow.

Form: 431

Forecasts

Sainte Lucie (11/10), Matwana (11/4), Maxios Prime (6/1), Our Lil (12/1), Analiese (14/1), Clotilda (20/1), Miss Altea Blue (22/1), Lagoon Nebula (28/1), Sophie Power (80/1)

Having looked potentially smart when winning at Punchestown in December, SAINTE LUCIE hasn't managed to improve on that effort at the highest level since, but making her handicap debut she could be able to resume winning ways for her leading trainer. Maxios Prime has been going the right way sent handicapping and is next on the list, ahead of Matwana.